Sen. Andrew Perchlik

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the public service career of Senator Martha Jane Kitchel, recognizing her work in both the Executive Branch and the Vermont Senate. The document highlights her progression from social work to leadership roles in the Department of Social Welfare and later as Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, followed by her legislative service in the Senate. It specifically acknowledges her contributions as Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where she led budget analysis and supported infrastructure projects like the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. The resolution formally recognizes her two decades of service and her recent announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution declares the rising number of drug overdose deaths in Vermont to be a public health emergency. It directly affects the state government by formally recognizing the severity of the opioid crisis, which has seen overdose deaths increase from 42 in 2010 to 264 in 2022. The resolution highlights that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are now involved in the majority of these deaths, often mixed with other substances. By making this declaration, the bill directs state officials to acknowledge the urgency of the situation, though it does not create new funding or specific policy changes. The resolution serves as an official statement of concern rather than a law that alters existing programs or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands employment protections in Vermont by prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees who decline to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about religious or political matters. It also prevents employers from requiring employees to attend such meetings, while allowing exceptions for communications required by law or necessary for job performance. The law includes specific exemptions for religious institutions, political organizations, and voluntary forums, and defines what constitutes political and religious matters for enforcement purposes. Additionally, the bill creates a study committee to examine how Vermont's labor laws apply to agricultural workers and identify potential ways to extend coverage to this group.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill directs the Office of Professional Regulation to review whether doulas should be regulated through registration, certification, or licensure, with results due by January 2025. It also requires the Department of Vermont Health Access to calculate the estimated costs of adding doula services to Medicaid coverage and recommend whether to include them in the state's health plan. The bill defines a qualified doula as one who is registered, certified, or licensed by the state, and mandates that any Medicaid coverage for these services only apply to doulas meeting those standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's battery stewardship program to include rechargeable batteries and battery-containing products, requiring retailers to stop selling these items unless the manufacturer has an approved recycling or management plan. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and applies to retailers, battery producers, and battery manufacturers who must either join an approved stewardship organization or demonstrate they are exempt from the program. The bill also adds administrative procedures for registering stewardship organizations and establishes a process for requesting administrative use controls at contaminated hazardous material sites.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution officially recognizes May 6-12, 2024, as National Nurses Week in Vermont and designates May 9, 2024, as ANA-Vermont Hill Day at the State House. The measure honors the nursing profession by acknowledging nurses' contributions to healthcare, particularly during the pandemic, and invites the public to express gratitude to nurses on that date. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to ANA-Vermont, the organization overseeing the commemoration. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the nursing profession's importance.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's environmental regulations to strengthen protections for wetlands, river corridors, and flood hazard areas while clarifying municipal authority over development in these zones. It requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to consult with state agencies and regional planning commissions when updating wetland maps, and it allows municipalities to regulate accessory dwelling units in flood hazard areas without requiring separate permits for certain planting projects. The legislation also establishes stricter phosphorus discharge limits for wastewater facilities in Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog drainage basins, mandates a cost analysis of the Green River Dam, and directs state officials to study options for waiving permit fees for low-income applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows judges to consider evidence that does not strictly follow standard court evidence rules during weight of the evidence hearings. It applies to criminal cases where a judge must decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. The change permits more flexible evidence submission without altering the standard for determining whether evidence of guilt is great. This means prosecutors and defense attorneys may present information in a less formal manner during these preliminary hearings. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's climate change cost recovery program to allow the state to charge fossil fuel companies for climate adaptation costs without requiring them to be part of a specific support project. It changes how payment schedules work by requiring installments to be paid annually at 10% of the total amount, with interest charges and adjustments based on inflation. The law also extends the time companies have to respond to cost recovery notices from 15 to 30 days and clarifies that existing legal remedies remain available alongside this program. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, but apply retroactively to costs incurred since January 1, 1995.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group to study psychedelics for mental health treatment. The group will review existing research on the costs and benefits of using psychedelics in therapy and assess whether Vermont should allow healthcare providers to administer them legally. It will also examine how legal access would affect public health. The Working Group must submit its findings and recommendations to several state committees by November 15, 2024, with support from the Vermont Department of Mental Health and the Vermont Psychological Association.